“This wasn’t just another piece of legislation for Pelosi – this was the culmination of a crusade she has been waiting her entire career to reorder Washington’s priorities. Pelosi’s animating ambition has been to put so-called women’s and family issues such as health care, education and the welfare of children on the same level as homeland security, foreign relations and defense.” — Vince Bzdek (Washington Post 3/28/10)“After we pass this bill, being a woman will no longer be a preexisting medical condition.” – Nancy Pelosi on the House floor before the final vote

Given Republicans’ unflagging attempts to thwart it,

Healthcare reform would have failed if Speaker Pelosi didn’t strongly support it.